Whenever the phrase “world record” is mentioned, there’s a Pavlovian effect that permeates through the track and field community.

Even if you think there is absolutely no shot of someone actually doing what no other individual in the history of competitive running has ever done before, there is still some small iota of doubt that something special will happen in that race.

If given the choice, one would rather watch a world record attempt failure than not watch the race at all. Call it “Pascal’s Wager for Running,” but if you have the opportunity to watch a world record, it would be wise to tune in.

That’s why Flotrack is making the trip to the 41st Chevron Houston Half-Marathon. The race organizers have enough faith that an assault on the 58:23 mark set by Zersenay Tadese from ’10 can be done that they’re willing to put their money where their mouth’s are.

Specifically, $50,000 to anyone that can best Tadese’s mark.

There aren’t many athletes in the men’s field, or in the world for that matter, that have a legitimate shot at becoming the new half-marathon world record holder. There’s two that may have solid odds, but one that could bring down the house.

Take notes.

Flotrack will also have the half-marathon IN ITS ENTIRETY following the race. If you’re not in Houston, don’t fret, as you can relive the ups and downs later.

Wilson Eurpe, Kenya

The surprise winner of the 2012 Seoul Marathon took down more favored Kenyans, James Kipsang and Eliud Kiptanui, en route to his course record win in 2:05:37. Even though it’ll take much more than a 2:05:37 equivalent to break the record, Eurpe is included in the conversation because past half-marathon world record holders have had slower marathon personal bests.

More on that in a bit.

Feyisa Lilisa, Ethiopia

The runner-up at the 2012 Chicago Marathon in 2:04:52 is no stranger to this race. Last year, Lilesa would take home the Houston Half title with his course record time of 59:22. Yes, he’ll need to drop a minute off his personal best from last year, but his recent run on the crisp Chicago streets gives him some ground to stand on.

The current and former world record holders in the half-marathon had less than stellar marathon personal bests when they set their respective #1 all-time marks.

When the late Sammy Wanjiru ran 58:33 (now #2 all-time) in ’07, he had run 2:06:39 just more than three months beforehand. Lilesa’s build-up mimics the same timetable as Wanjiru’s, except he ran a bit faster with his 2:04:52.

 

Rest in peace, Sammy.

While one may consider the half and full marathons to go hand in hand, there isn’t always a direct correlation between the two.

The current WR holder, Zersenay Tadese from Eritrea, has never run a successful marathon. One month after he set his WR, Tadese ran 2:12:03 to finish 7th in the 2010 London Marathon. Two years later, he returned to London and improved his personal best to 2:10:41.

Not quite the conversion from 58:23 that we all expected.

Then how did Tadese run the best half-marathon in history? The distance wasn’t a step down for him, but rather a step up from the 10,000m as his PR is 26:37.25 from ’06. 58:23 doesn't sound so crazy now.

If you want to get into the true running-geek details of the science behind Tadese’s magic, the Sports Scientists took an in-depth look at a study concerning running economy. Their analysis makes Tadese less of a running God and more of a medical mystery.

Back in the present, Lilesa isn’t even the #1 contender this weekend. It’s actually his compatriot, Atsedu Tesfaye.

Atsedu Tesfaye, Ethiopia

We don’t need to use historical comparisons to validate Tesfaye - he’s the fourth of all-time at the distance. The 2012 Prague Half Marathon champion clocked 58:47 to take home the win, the course record, and the fifth fastest time in history.

The big caveat that comes with Tesfaye is that he’s basically run nothing else other than that half-marathon.

When he set his personal best in Prague, David Monti of Races Results Weekly reported that he had “only been running for three years” and “that his modest 13:51 5000m personal best was set in Ethiopia’a thin air.”

We choose to believe the second statement, mainly because there’s actually documentation of the results. Other than those two aforementioned races, Tesfaye has only run one other half (61:12 in '11) and the African Cross Country Championship where he took 3rd in the long race.

In the end, Tesfaye can either continue his meteoric rise in the half-marathon or remain “only” the fourth fastest man in history. One will be definitely be tougher than the other.

Whether or not the record falls, it'll still once again be an incredible race in Houston. Make sure to tune in to our coverage Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the Houston Marathon Race Weekend.

Flotrack will feature the entire half-marathon once the race is completed.